(a) A hearing shall be scheduled not less than six and not more than forty-five days after the answer date.
Section 24-15.—Scheduling of Hearings; Continuances
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceA small claims hearing must be scheduled six to forty-five days after the answer date, and this rule spells out how a party can request, and the court can grant, a continuance that postpones that hearing.
Full Text of Section 24-15
(b) Continuances
(1) In any case where the plaintiff claims prejudice because of an unexpected defense or counterclaim or where either party shows good cause therefor, the judicial authority may postpone the hearing of any claim upon such terms as the judicial authority may order.
(2) A new hearing shall be scheduled within ninety days of the date set for the hearing which was postponed.
(3) Requests for continuances shall be made in writing to the clerk and shall state the reasons therefor. The party requesting the continuance shall first attempt to notify the other party of the request and shall include in the request when such notice was given and whether the other party agreed to the request. Requests for a continuance made prior to the scheduled hearing date shall be decided by the clerk. Requests for a continuance made on the scheduled date shall be decided by the judicial authority. All requests shall be acted on as soon as possible. Oral requests for continuance shall be permitted by the clerk only in extraordinary circumstances.
(4) The clerk shall notify all parties of the decision on any request for continuance and of the new hearing date.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 565.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001.)
Plain-English Summary
After the answer date passes, the court must schedule the hearing within a set window — not less than six days and not more than forty-five days later. The rule also covers continuances, or hearing postponements. A judge may postpone a hearing if the plaintiff shows prejudice from an unexpected defense or counterclaim, or if either party shows good cause, and any resulting rescheduled hearing must happen within ninety days of the original hearing date.
Requests for a continuance must be in writing to the clerk and must explain the reason. The requesting party must first try to notify the other side and must state in the request whether that notice was given and whether the other party agreed. A request made before the scheduled hearing date is decided by the clerk; a request made on the hearing date itself is decided by the judicial authority. Oral continuance requests are allowed only in extraordinary circumstances, and the clerk must notify all parties of the decision and of any new hearing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after the answer date will my small claims hearing happen?
The hearing must be scheduled not less than six days and not more than forty-five days after the answer date.
How do I ask for a continuance in Connecticut small claims court?
You must submit a written request to the clerk stating your reasons, note whether you notified the other party, and state whether that party agreed to the request.
Can I request a continuance by phone or in person on the hearing day?
Oral requests are permitted by the clerk only in extraordinary circumstances; otherwise requests must be in writing.
Who decides whether I get a continuance?
A request made before the scheduled hearing date is decided by the clerk, while a request made on the scheduled hearing date itself is decided by the judicial authority.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-15). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: small claims continuance request CTpostponing a small claims hearinghow to reschedule small claims courtsmall claims hearing scheduling rules Connecticut